Newcomer saves three match points as Bucs conclude fourth tournament of fall season

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (October 2, 2011) – Rogerio Ribeiro (Sao Paulo, Brazil) came from 5-1 down in the third set on Sunday, to defeat Memphis’ Daniel Schindler (5-7, 6-4, 7-5) and win the gold flight singles title at the UTC Steve Baras Fall Classic.

The flight’s No. 1 overall seed, Ribeiro won in consecutive sets on Friday and Saturday to advance to the finals against Schindler on Sunday. After dropping his first set of the tournament to Schindler and coming back to win the second, Ribeiro found himself in what seemed like an insurmountable hole.

Down 5-1 (40-15) in the third set, Ribeiro saved three match points to bring the set to 5-2. The newcomer then reeled off the next five games to steal the set, match and championship from Schindler, and win the title for ETSU.

“We’re very pleased with how Rogerio came back and was relentless throughout the weekend,” commented assistant coach Ricky Rojas. “He didn’t play as well as we know he can play, but he still won the title and we’re happy about that.”

Junior Jorge Varon (Valencia, Venezuela) had his own success on Sunday, defeating another Tiger in KC Griffin (5-2, Ret.) to win the consolation draw of the gold flight. Varon, the flight’s No. 2 overall seed, lost his second round match on day one, but responded by running through consolation play without dropping a set.

Ribeiro and Varon began the final day as a doubles pair, competing in the blue doubles flight finals against Kennesaw State’s team of Simon and Janik. Success didn’t find the Buccaneers in the morning, as Ribeiro and Varon dropped the match (8-5) to the Owls.

Next up for the ETSU men’s tennis team is the ITA All-American Invitational, as senior Sander Gille (Kuringen, Belgium) and junior Jesus Bandres (Caracas, Venezuela) will begin play on Monday, October 3 in Tulsa, Okla.

For more information on ETSU tennis, please visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the tennis links.